Vietnam participates as guest of honor at St. Petersburg International Book Fair

Vietnam recently took part in the 21st St. Petersburg International Book Fair as the event's guest of honor, marking the first time the Southeast Asian country has received the designation at one of Russia's largest literary and cultural gatherings.

Held from May 21-24 at Palace Square in central St. Petersburg, the annual fair featured more than 260 exhibitions, 280 events, and six exhibition pavilions, transforming the historic venue into a large open-air cultural and reading space.

Vietnam was represented by Vietnam Education Publishing House (VEPH), whose exhibition booth attracted strong interest from visitors throughout the event.

Pham Vinh Thai, editor-in-chief of the publisher, said the participation aimed to introduce Vietnam's reading culture, publishing industry, and educational publishing capabilities to international audiences.

He said the publisher has expanded its digital publishing activities in response to technological changes and declining demand for printed books, investing in e-books and artificial intelligence applications to support textbook development and the broader digital transformation of Vietnam's education sector.

In addition to educational materials, the publisher showcased books on Vietnamese culture and history, including publications about President Ho Chi Minh, Cuban leader Fidel Castro and prominent Vietnamese cultural figures, as part of efforts to promote Vietnam's cultural heritage abroad.

During the fair, the publisher also launched a book donation program for the Vietnamese community in Russia. Working through Vietnamese community organizations, books will be distributed to community libraries, cultural centers, and shared reading spaces.

Thai said overseas Vietnamese would also have access to Vietnamese-language learning programs jointly organized by the publisher, Vietnam Television's VTV4 channel, and the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The fair's main theme this year was the "Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia," according to a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The event also commemorated several literary anniversaries, including the 200th anniversary of the birth of Russian writer Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin and the 135th anniversary of novelist Mikhail Bulgakov.

Vietnam Writers' Association chairman Nguyen Quang Thieu addressed the opening ceremony alongside Russian officials and literary figures, including former Prime Minister and Russian Book Union president Sergei Stepashin.

Assistant to Russia's President and First Secretary of the Russian Writers Association Vladimir Medinsky also visited the Vietnamese pavilion, where he highlighted the importance of reading among young people.

Thieu said Vietnam's selection as guest of honor reflected the strong relationship between Vietnam and Russia and demonstrated Russia's appreciation for Vietnamese culture.

He added that Vietnam's participation conveyed not only messages about cultural exchange and friendship but also the country's aspirations for development and its renewed focus on cultural policies.

"Culture helps open doors for Vietnam to build more friendships and expand cooperation for development," Thieu said.

Founded in 2006, the St. Petersburg International Book Fair is considered one of Russia's largest literary events. Organizers said more than 500,000 people attended fair-related activities last year.